HELPING HAND MISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 246, 16 October 1889, Page 8

HELPING HAND MISSION.

THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY.

This popular mission celebrated the fourth year of its existence last evening. For weeks past all the workers have been in active preparation to ensure a greatsuccess, and their anticipations were by far realised. The tea was begun afc a very early period in the evening, owing to the crowd of visitors, and if this precaution had not been taken the night's meeting would ha ye been greatly extended. Table after table was thronged, and it is estimated that 400 persons" sat down to tea. Mrs Parkinson, of Victoriastreet, supplied the tables, and it was fortunate that superabundance was arranged for. At the very last a big basket of cake had to be sent for, and on the way to the hall, it had to be guarded owing'to the crowd of boys who had arranged to seize its contents and clear. It is only right to say that Mr Colegrove, the manager for Nelson Moate, made the Mission a donation of a box of tea, which was of the finest blend, and did credit to that firm. The unique decorations of the hall owed i a great deal to the kind gift of Mr C. W. Goodson, of Queen-street, who placed at the disposal of the Mission a large number of lovely and varied coloured Chinese lanterns, which, when lit up, had a brilliant and pleasing effect. After an hour's tea drinking and cake consuming had gone, the seats were rearranged, and a dense crowd packed themselves close up together to await the after meeting. On the platform were :—Sir W. Fox, Dr. Kenderdine, Revs. T. F. Robertson, A. J. Smith, G. B. Monro, J. Dukes, R. F. Macnicol, Mr Ross (late Captain Salvation Army), with Messrs W. H. Smith, A. C. Brown and W. Beaumont.

The meeting opened in a most lively manner by singing the popular sacred song "Be Glad and Rejoice." The brass band of the Mission accompanied. The volume of song and the band together could be heard far away over the district. As soon as the singing was ended the conductor of the meeting said that they were about to engage in prayer, and informed those who would lead in the devotions that the prayers in the Mission were usually short, for one or two reasons. First, because there was a certainty that God was ready and waiting to hear and answer the petitions ; and again, that no preamble was needed, but simply tell the wants of the heart.

The Rev. A. J. Smith then led in a short earnest prayer for the Almighty's blessing upon the Mission and people of the district.

The Chairman then told the audience how pleasing it was to all the Mission workers to see such a big gathering, as it was a sure token of their sympathy. He reminded them of the first beginning of the M ission 4 years ago, when ib took its rise in an old smoky shop up the street. It was a work of love and. big difficulties ; but the difficulties were driven away with persistent, earnest, trustful labours in a noble causa. There were no drones in the Mission hive, and if such happened to fly into their midst they were soon discovered and tumbled out to seek new spheres somewhere else. The most pleasing partof theworkwasrecited by Mr W. H. Smith. He read apologies from many leading ministers in Auckland, among whom were Bishop Cowie, T. Spurgeon, W. Tebbs, and others,' expressing their sorrow at not being able to be present at their meeting ; also one or two letters from persons who had been saved in the Mission during the year, bub who could not be present. One was from a man who had passed a life of sin in the army in India and other places, but getting into low water in Auckland attempted to destroy his life by allowing the train to go over him, but was rescued in .time. He was induced to come to the hall, and he is now an honoured member of society, changed altogether, and in his right mind. A little rescue work among the boys was attempted during the year, and Mr Smith told graphically how a bright but unsightly boy named "Moses," nine years of age, who was the pest of the district, was lifted up and placed in a Christian home in Paparoa. Moses was'the making of a bad boy, and the possessor of those qualities which go to make up such character. He used to sell the Stak, and ib was said a gentleman once gave him half a sovereign for sixpence, but Moses gave him fivepence ot change, and chuckled over the coin. His new home records show that ho ate as much food at one time as might do for 6 boys, bub the gentleman who has taken him says he thinks he was only making up for lost time. On his way to Helens•ville with a big placard around his neck show'ng where he was booked for, he begged 24 pennies from various passengers, and cost his future master 4s for dinners on. the sbeamer up. This story of "Moses the Expert Beggar" kept the audience in roars of laughter. Many other excellent things were also recounted. Mr A. C. Brown told how the efforts to rescue to save men and women were during the year crowned with success. A man he came in contact with, and induced to change his life, Confessed that he had stolen several horses, but since his life was turned into a new way he wanted to make restitution, and he is now paying off such ill-gobten gains. The work at the cottage meetings -was being specially blessed. The homes of the people were visited by the sisters, who relieved their wants and prayed with and otherwise directed them to holy living. Wherever they went the work of the Mission was spoken about, even as far away as Wellington and other Southern cities. The reason of that was that many sailors got converted, and when they go away in their steamers they tell the story about how and where they were saved.

After this account of the work (for there was no written report) the meeting was throvyn open for testimonies, and 45 men and women spoke in about twenty minutes telling of what had been done for them and their families.

The ministers and others on the platform specially enjoyed this part of the meeting. ... The testimonies were bright, short, and telling in effect. Sometimes two or three a time were on-their feet. During the laab five minutes allowed in this part of the meeting, sometimes one at the furthest end of the hall and one close up to the platform would be telling what a change had come over their lives—half of the audience listening to one, and the other half to the other. Then a nice little conversazione was allowed, and during this period • 'canaries" were placed all over the hall asking for donations to extend the'hall. This manoeuvre caused a slight flutter in the audience, bub they were equal to the occasion, and when the lists came-in donations ranging from Is to £10 counted up to the handsome sum of £60 in all. This announcement was received with great pleasure. The £10 was given by a lady who is not desirous of her name being mentioned. The ministers oh the platform were then allowed time for their testimony. The first was Rev. A. J. Smith, who loves mission work. He expressed his pleasure at being present. • He was saved, and a lover of the Lord and every good work, and prayed for God's blessing to rest upon the' Mission. Sir William Fox was delighted to be present.- The Mission had his best sympathy and wishes for future success. Dr. Kenderdine, who is a special friend to the Mission (who indeed during the year has' given large sums of money to the work, '. and also, gives professional services- to the poor free of cost) spoke of his appreciation of "what he had seen and heard. He was always friendly to any'such cause as the Mission, and when help in any way was

needed could nob stand aside and do nothing. The Rev. Mr Robertson spoke some kind words of encouragement, and hoped that out of tve Mission men would be raised up to preach the Gospel. The Revs. G. B. Monro, Macnicol, Mr Ross, and others, spoke in similar strains, all admiring mission work, and they < themselves had begun such among their own people. The meeting terminated with an urgent appeal to the unsaved to decide at once for God, and not to put off salvation to a dying hour. There was a deeply solemn awe all over the meeting, which must bear fruit in some good way. The whole audience then stood and sang a parting hymn, and thus closed the best anniversary ever held in the hall.